Veterans' Honor Rose

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJACKSON & PERKINS HONORS AMERICA’S VETERANSVeterans’ Honor Rose Pays Tribute to the Individuals Who Served Our Country

ARLINGTON, Va., — In a May 27, 1999, ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Jackson & Perkins, the nation’s largest producer of patented roses, unveiled a rose to honor the individuals in the Armed forces whose contributions established and protect our nation.

Ten percent of the sales of each rose, called Veterans’ Honor™, is donated to fund research for veterans’ health through an account established by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans’ Honor™ is joins the ranks of other commemorative roses offered by Jackson & Perkins, including the Diana, Princess of Wales™, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Habitat for Humanity roses.

Nancy Tait, President and CEO of Jackson & Perkins said, "We were pleased to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to benefit veterans by developing this rose. The joint effort is an excellent example of a public/private partnership in which everyone wins — especially America’s veterans."

Veterans’ Honor™, a dark-red hybrid tea, was planted during the event in a special garden at the Cemetery. Military and civilian dignitaries were invited to attend, including members of the Veterans Affairs Committee from both the House and Senate.

The idea to create Veterans’ Honor™ came from The Honorable Kenneth W. Kizer, M.D., M.P.H., personally. When asked about the rose, Dr. Kizer commented, "I wanted to create a commemorative rose to signify the pride and gratitude that we as citizens of this country have for our veterans. Without their sacrifices and beneficence, the freedoms that Americans and many other people enjoy today would not be possible."

Tait agrees. "Veterans’ Honor is a stunning dark red hybrid tea with dark green, glossy foliage and a light raspberry fragrance. It is a beautiful, fitting and lasting tribute to the men and women of the armed forces who have answered the call of patriotic service to our country."

The Professional Lawn Care Association of America, Marietta, Ga., made available the landscaped and designed site where Veterans’ Honor™ was planted at Arlington National Cemetery. The national group is responsible for the site as part of its Annual "Renewal & Remembrance" environmental enhancement project at Arlington each summer. PLCAA member Environmental Care, Inc., and U.S. Lawns of Calabasas, Calif., designed and landscaped the site, with donations of products and services from several contributors. Brian Mackle and Michelle Morris of Environmental Care submitted the award-winning design to PLCCA in a national contest hosted by the association earlier this year. For more information on PLCAA, visit www.plcaa.org.

Jackson & Perkins donated quantities of Veterans’ Honor™ to VA medical and counseling centers nationwide that conducted simultaneous planting ceremonies. May 27, 1999, was chosen to unveil the rose because it immediately preceded the weekend commemorating Memorial Day, honoring those who have offered their lives in military service to the nation.

Veterans’ Honor™ is available exclusively through Jackson & Perkins by calling 1-800-292-4769 or visiting www.jacksonandperkins.com. It is also available through garden centers and nurseries that carry Jackson & Perkins roses.

Jackson & Perkins is the nation’s largest producer of patented roses. The company was founded in 1872, and in 1939 became the country’s first mail-order nursery. Today it sells not only roses but also bulbs, ornamental plants, bushes, trees, home-gardening accessories and gift plants through its catalogs as well as on the worldwide Web.